Moy via Strathpeffer and Loch Ussie

Another new route, pieced together from bits we know and bits we've seen way-markers for. On a Sunday morning with sun and showers, we began our adventure from the Moy junction on the A835, just after the Marybank turn off. The aim for the day's walk was simple: find a circular route from Moy to Strathpeffer via Catherine's for brunch.

It all began well, with clear way-markers pointing us in the right direction, but as conditions underfoot worsened so did our path choice. Do we turn left or right? Did you see a sign post? This path looks ok I think. Fucking hell it's boggy!

Anyway, we persevered and eventually found ourselves in the familiar territory of Cnoc Mhor, after taking in a minor detour of Jamestown! Brunch turned into lunch by the time we reached the old railway cafe, but having skipped breakfast were rewarded with a delicious cooked meal (Lynne had scrambled egg on toast and I had a fried breakfast).




Our return route was thankfully a lot drier, although no less adventurous! Taking in new territory round the edge of a sun-bathed Loch Ussie we agreed that this area was quite stunning. Following tracks the whole way back we found our way back onto the Moy road and back along to our starting point.

About ten miles.

Rogie Falls Circuit, via Achterneed, Strathpeffer and Loch na Crann

On a sunny Saturday morning we did a brand new ten mile walk composed of a handful of sections that I'd run along. The route began from the Rogie Falls car park.

After crossing the new suspension bridge and climbing up to join the main forest track between Contin and Garve, we turned left and followed a gently undulating route for about two miles. At this point we'd just passed the farm with the antisocial geese and turned right to make our way up and across the railway line.

Continuing right, we joined a second forest track East for two miles, eventually exiting at an old bothy (which is currently used as a power station) and joining a rough overgrown quad bike track that runs parallel to the railway line. For more than mile, we struggled with pesky flies buzzing round our heads and pretty boggy conditions underfoot, but eventually we re-joined a larger forest track, turning left towards Achterneed and back round to Strathpeffer.

Skirting the upper edges of the old Spa town, we climbed, twisted and turned our way along the forest track down towards Loch na Crann. Before long we were back on the main Contin to Garve track again and making our weary way back down towards Rogie Falls.

Beinn Enaiglair, Braemore Junction

Starting from the car park at Braemore Junction we followed the walker's path steadily uphill towards Home Loch. From there we took the long clockwise circuit of Beinn Emaiglair continuing to climb towards the rocky North face of the hill.

With the top being clagged in, we decided not to venture all the way up, but the atmosphere as we skirted round the upper sections of the stalkers path was haunting and memorable.

With great views to the East towards Loch Glascarnoch, we continued round the rather bleak and desolate landscape, through a strangely old-feeling valley, where we had fun shouting and listening to our echoes.

Completing the circuit we found ourselves back at Home Loch where we saw some wild goats and wild orchids. With about 9 miles and 1800 feet climbing we felt quite tired by the time we retraced our footsteps back to the car. Our reward? A pint of real ale and some fish and chips in Ullapool, what else?